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BYU in NFL, Week 8: Keisel’s two tackles for loss are big for Steelers

The amount of activity was a little low again for former Brigham
Young Cougars in the NFL. A strong day by Brett Keisel and a controversy surrounding
Vic So’oto highlight the weekend in the NFL for former Cougars.

Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens, Tight End

Did not play; bye
week.

Stats

This week: Bye

Season: 30 receptions, 276
yards, 2 touchdowns

Baltimore Ravens: 5-2

Next: at Cleveland Browns

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive
End

Keisel had, possibly,
his best game of the season. He made his presence felt on the Washington
Redskins’ first possession of the game. On 3rd and 1, he teamed with
Larry Foote to make a tackle for a three yard loss and force a punt. He teamed for
another tackle in the second quarter, and got is final tackle on a solo
take down in the fourth quarter when the Redskins were trying to comeback and
win the game. His final tackle resulted in a seven yard loss, and set up a 3rd and 17. The Steelers won 27-12. It was the third time this season that Keisel
has had three tackles or more.

Stats

This week: 3 tackles (1 solo)

Season: 14 tackles (6 solo)

Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-3

Next: at New York Giants

John Denney, Miami Dolphins, Long
Snapper

Denney didn’t make any
headlines against the New York Jets. Judging by the results, Denney did his
duties well. On six punts, Miami averaged 53.8 yards,
and most of the punts were not returned. All three Dolphins field goal attempts
were good. Miami crushed the Jets
30-9.

Stats

This week: None.

Season: 1 tackle (1
solo), 1 forced fumble

Miami Dolphins: 4-3

Next: at Indianapolis Colts

Dallas Reynolds, Philadelphia Eagles, Center

Reynolds started for
the fifth time this season and has played in all seven Eagles games. The Eagles
lost to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons 30-17.

Philadelphia Eagles: 3-4

Next: at New Orleans
Saints

Vic So’oto, Oakland Raiders, Linebacker

In his third game with
the Raiders, So’oto has been credited with his first tackle of the season in a 26-16 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it is unknown when that tackle was made. So'oto is not given credit on the play-by-play for any of the tackles made in the game.

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BYU football has been pretty hard to watch in 2017, particularly on offense. After game two, a 27-0 loss to LSU, Head Coach Kalani Sitake said, "I know I am coming down hard on the offense, but, man, let's be honest, that was the issue." The offensive production hasn't gotten much better since, and Sitake hasn't changed his rhetoric.

Who would blame him? BYU is averaging 9.8 points per game, 4.3 yards per play (3.2 yards per rush and 5.2 yards per pass), and 221.75 total yards per game. The Cougar offense has converted just 34 percent of third downs, has averaged 23:47 time of possession, and has a 93.7 pass efficiency rating.

That has some fans speculating that one or more coaches will be fired before the end of the season. That is madness. No one on the BYU coaching staff will be unemployed before the game at Hawaii on November 25.

Making a coaching change midseason is reserved for exceptional cases. Either something happens off the field, or the same problem …

Growing up a fan of BYU football was fun. The foundation had already been laid with the 1984 National Championship, the long list of All-American quarterbacks, and the reputation of being an unstoppable offensive powerhouse. I witnessed Ty Detmer win the Heisman Trophy, Steve Young win Super Bowl MVP honors, and the legendary LaVell Edwards build a team that won the Cotton Bowl and could compete with any team in the country.

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It is no secret that offensive coordinator Ty Detmer is not trying to run the same scheme he used as a player at BYU to rewrite the NCAA record book. The offense he wants to run resembles what he learned during his 14 seasons in the NFL.

Lackluster results this year has this approach under scrutiny. After all, Tanner Mangum does not look like the same quarterback who passed for 3,377 yards, 23 touchdowns, and had a 136 pass efficiency rating in Robert Anae's offense as a freshman.

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